ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Apr 18, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- In line with Kmart's commitment to convenience, Kmart is now offering Western Union's enhanced Payments Service. Boasting an expanded biller network and a fast, easy experience for consumers at more than 1,200 Kmart locations in the United States, the Western Union^(R) Payments Service enables consumers to pay their bills where they buy groceries and everyday household items.

The Western Union Company, a global payments leader, has significantly enhanced its payments service, while expanding its walk-in biller network. The improved payments service no longer requires forms after the first transaction and enables consumers to find and identify billers more easily (no "code cities"), while offering consumers flexible payment delivery speeds. The enhanced offering complements Western Union's web-based and text payment options, supporting its commitment to leading the industry in innovative comprehensive payments solutions that make paying bills easy for consumers.

Additionally, the expanded network provides consumers the ability to make walk-in bill payments to most billers nation-wide, including mortgage, auto loan, credit card, utility, insurance, telecommunications bills and more. Consumers now have additional price options based upon principal amount and the desired speed of delivery.

"Western Union's enhanced bill pay service provides a full slate of billers to pay with greater ease than before," stated Dave Schuvie, vice president, licensed businesses at Sears Holdings. "Not only do consumers benefit, but our associates also appreciate the streamlined, shortened payment process."

Kmart recently implemented a Western Union point-of-sale system to better serve money transfer consumers. "Our new Payments Service is directly supported by this system," said David Shapiro, senior vice president, Western Union Payments. "This makes the bill payment process user-friendly and convenient for Kmart shoppers."

About the new Western Union^(R) Payments Service

The new Payments Service simplifies the consumer experience. Consumers establish profiles on their first visit, thanks to the "once and done" formless procedure. Subsequent bill payments will only require an easily recallable customer identifier like their phone number. No paperwork - no hassle. Western Union has also eliminated the need for consumers to enter non-intuitive biller codes, called "code cities," to make their payments, ensuring the experience is easier for consumers and Agents alike. With a robust network, the flexibility of choosing payment delivery speeds, and an unparalleled Agent network, the new Western Union Payments service is both a smart money management tool and reliable go-to for last-minute payment solutions.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. The Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services are offered through a combined network of 445,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2010, The Western Union Company completed 214 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $76 billion of principal between consumers, and 405 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About Kmart

Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, County Living, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information, visit the company's website at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

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SOURCE: Western Union

Western Union
David Liggett, 720-332-4119
david.liggett@westernunion.com
or
Sears Holdings
Shannelle Armstrong, 847-286-0715
shannelle.armstrong@searshc.com